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Mongu club in about 1954.
I only know two of the patrons, my father Frank
Nelson and Hilda Gray. My father is in white shirt sleeves and Hilda is seated
on the right, looking at the camera.
This is the old Mongu club that was located
between the Boma and the Resident Commisioner's office. It has about 3 tennis
courts next to it and a small, also thatched, library. At one stage my mother,
Peggy ran the library. This old club burned down, probably at the end of the
50s. It was thatched, no ceiling, and was always cool.
The record collection include some wonderful
Bing Crosbys, Frank Sinatras, Mantovanis, and My Fair Lady. I believe Scottish
country dancing was held on Thursday nights and at some stage my mother taught
it. I wonder who taught her? Father Crispin, a Capuchin from a nearby mission,
was a regular dancer. Of course the children called him Father Christmas.
As a child I was usually bought a Mazoe orange
juice. I think it cost 3c. Sometimes someone would buy me a Coca Cola. They
were much more expensive and a big treat. We liked to climb on the roof and
drink our cool drinks. There were some grown ups who yelled at us to get down
and part of the fun was hiding from them.